Microsoft today announced that it will begin testing the upcoming Windows 10 '19H1' release, known as the Windows 10 May 2019 Update, in the Insider Release Preview ring for over a month, starting next week. This is double the time previous feature updates have spent in this ring, and Microsoft is doing it to ensure the upcoming version of Windows 10 is stable enough for public release sometime in May.
The last Windows 10 feature update was released with a plethora of issues, some of which were very damaging. In some cases, the update deleted user files without being able to recover them again. It wasn't a good look, and it didn't help the fact that Microsoft skipped the entire Release Preview testing phase for that release of Windows 10, for reasons that still haven't been explained. The Release Preview ring is the last port of call before a feature update is made available to the world. It tests updates from the last release to the new release, among other things, for any issues that may have popped up throughout development.
Related: The difference between 'feature updates' and 'quality updates'
This time, instead of skipping this testing phase, Microsoft is doubling the amount of time Microsoft tests a new feature update in the Release Preview ring. In the past, a new release would spend around two weeks in the Release Preview ring, but with 19H1, Microsoft will test it for more than a month before it deems it ready for public rollout. This is a good thing, as it means Microsoft can test fixes and patches for 19H1 in the Release Preview ring for a few weeks.
Microsoft says that 19H1 will enter the Release Preview ring starting next week and will receive cumulative updates and app updates for 19H1 over the course of its phase. It's great to see Microsoft leveraging its Release Preview ring again, using that feedback to ensure this coming release of Windows 10 is the best yet.
What are your thoughts on this? Let us know in the comments.
Cheap PC accessories we love
Take a gander at these awesome PC accessories, all of which will enhance your Windows experience.
Anker 4 port USB 3.0 hub ($10 at Amazon)
Whether on a desktop or laptop PC, you always need more ports to connect things to. This hub gives you an additional four USB 3.0 Type A ports.
Ikea Fixa Cable Management System ($11 at Amazon)
This IKEA cable management kit is your ticket to a clean setup. It's simple and functional.
NZXT Puck ($20 at Amazon)
This clever little accessory has powerful magnets on the rear to make it stick to any of the metal panels on your PC case or anything else. It's great for hanging accessories like headsets.
